Written by 10:57 am Articles, Home

BREAKING THE STIGMA OF SENIOR LIVING – 8 COMMON MYTHS NOW BUSTED

“Poor Mr. Sharma!  I hear his kids have put him into a senior home.”

“I know dear, I visited him last month and that place is fantastic! He seemed to be doing quite well actually. Maybe I will look into this for myself.”

“Oh, don’t talk like that! You have a home and wonderful children who won’t let you go. Stop this nonsense.”

“What about my choice? I love my children when I see them but I spend most of the day by myself.  At least I will have company and things to do in a facility like that. “

The senior living industry has been blooming aboard but it is also gaining traction in India. However, this concept is still clouded in stigmas. In India, the ideal state is still considered to be when older adults are living at home and with their children. 

Stigmatizing Myth 1

Seniors are “put” in senior homes
One very common myth that can be seen depicted in movies, media and in conversations is that all older adults living in senior living facilities have been “put” there. This myth makes the very unfair and demeaning assumption that older adults don’t make choices for themselves. More and more seniors are choosing to live in senior living spaces on their own. Others may be encouraged by their children to do so, but most seniors are still very much involved in the decision making.

Stigmatizing Myth 2

Senior who live in senior facilities would rather be at home

Another common myth in line with the last one is that of course all elders would rather live at home. Many seniors choose to live in senior living residences because of the additional facilities provided, such as the like minded companionship and also additional safety and security. Most spaces also have some extent of medical support and emergency handling. This is another factor that makes them choose senior living. They may find that the benefits of seniors living outweigh the benefits of staying at home.

Stigmatizing Myth 3

Children who love their parents will find a way to live with them

Each family has its unique set of circumstances and outlook. Many older adults feel that they do not wish to share a living space with their children because they prefer the privacy and independence of living by themselves. They may not wish to spend their golden years by becoming 24*7 caregivers to their grown children and grandchildren.  They may also prefer living in a place they are comfortable at, rather than move cities or countries to be with their children, getting isolated in the process.

Stigmatizing Myth 4

Senior Living Facilities are only for the abandoned, destitute and ill

Senior Living spaces are neither for the destitute, nor for the ill. Senior Living spaces in the private sector are different from nursing homes and old age homes. Specially designed senior living spaces can provide comfortable to luxury living. These are modern spaces that are safe for elders and provide holistic solutions to all the problems that seniors are likely to face. Most senior living facilities are created to be happy spaces, full of engagements and fun activities. This is quite a contrast to what a lay person, unaware of such evolution in senior care, may think.

Stigmatizing Myth 5

Seniors living in assisted or senior living facilities are isolated and lonely

This myth is especially dubious. One big incentive of a senior living facility is community living and the companionship of like minded co-residents. Most facilities for seniors put great efforts to provide daily activities in the form of group session, yoga classes, events and celebrations. Many even have in house entertainment spaces like a club room or activity centre. They usually house board games, cards, carom and other such activities. Seniors living in such facilities have far more access to socialization and activity than is usually possible at home.

Stigmatizing Myth 6

Senior Living facilities cannot provide the kind of care that can be given at home

This is another common misconception. The level of care that can be given at home is often limited by the schedules of family members. Middle age children of older adults may be dedicated to caring for their parents. However, the pressures of parenthood, their jobs and managing their day to day responsibilities often leave them with little time. Many decide to leave their jobs to become full time caregivers to their parents. Others choose senior care facilities with integrated assistive care by sensitized and trained professionals. Facilities made for seniors always aim at providing the best possible care. They usually iterate the level of care to the needs of each resident. There is no one solution for every family. Professional senior living facilities provide a safe, secure and holistic solution for those who may need it.

Stigmatizing Myth 7

The health of elders at senior living facilities deteriorates

Most senior living facilities also provide some level of integrated health care and medical support. Their meals are elder friendly with some facilities providing nutritionist and diet consultations. Most facilities also provide yoga and exercise classes suited to older adults. Many premium facilities also have a gymnasium and physiotherapy centre for seniors. Most facilities also provide in house doctor’s consultations. The companionship and engagement through activities also ensures that elders stay mentally and cognitively fit.

Stigmatizing Myth 8

There will be no one to care for the senior in case of an emergency

Most modern senior facilities have integrated emergency medical support. They have emergency call bells or buttons in all rooms and some even place additional bells in the bathrooms. They usually have a nurse on duty provide emergency medical support. They also have protocols in place for transferring the person to a nearby hospital in case the need arises. Overall, emergency support is usually higher than is possible at home.

Stigmas like the ones mentioned above are holding back middle aged children of seniors from being able to seek senior living options for their parents. Most of them fear the judgment from society as the concept is still a taboo for some.

We must join the many who are debating the old notions. There are a large number of seniors who insist on independence and promote their children to seek the same. They are seniors who wish to choose their own path and live their golden years in style. They want to reap the benefits of all their life’s hard work and they surely deserve to make that choice.

(Visited 353 times, 1 visits today)
Last modified: November 16, 2021
Close